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Breen Resigns as Mendon Selectman

By Michelle Sanford Staff Reporter/Columnist · May 05, 2010

Effective immediately, David Breen has resigned from the Mendon Board of Selectmen after serving in the position for the last four years. Breen said the reason behind his abrupt resignation concerns the legalities involving the adult entertainment license being sought by Showtime Entertainment LLC.

Showtime Entertainment, under the names of George Funari and his son, Christopher, is seeking an adult entertainment license to allow live, nude dancing at a club to be built on Route 16. George Funari, who owns Oak Tree Supply at 49 Milford St., plans to demolish his business and construct a new strip club on the same location.

Recently, Breen discovered that according to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 258, Section13, selectmen are not indemnified against civil rights lawsuits. If the Board of Selectmen votes against issuing the license, the Funari's could threaten to file a lawsuit against the selectmen claiming their civil rights were violated. If the Funari's were to win the lawsuit, Breen could stand to lose his home and business.

"They could come after me, my business, anything they could get their hands on," said Breen over the first weekend of May. "I've got my family to think about and my business." Breen owns Pinz Bowling and the Blue Dog Sports Bar and Grille in Milford.

On the other hand, if the Board chooses to allow the adult entertainment license, Breen feels it would create conflict between he and his customers because much of his business involves families with young children. "What kind of message am I sending to parents and children if I were to approve the license," he questioned.

Breen's former seat will remain vacant until a Special Election is held to fill it.

Breen said he's still trying to come to terms with the whole situation and the manner by which laws work sometimes. "It's hard to understand that you could be sued even if you think you're doing the best for the community," he said. "They (the Funari's) have been talking about their civil rights, but the Selectmen have lost their civil rights, too."

In his resignation letter dated April 30, Breen stated he was honored and privileged to have served with Selectmen Michael Ammendolia and Lawney Tinio and been part of the team which built the new fire station and formed the regionalized dispatch center. He went on to say he was particularly honored to have worked alongside the dedicated employees and volunteers of Mendon and wished everyone continued success.

The Board did not provide any formal statements regarding Breen's resignation; however, Tinio did say he respected the decision to step down and stands behind him. The decision to resign has also hurt any chances Breen had of possible future political aspirations. "This is not how I wanted to go out," he said.